Chimney Rock’s designation as national monument

We were pleased with President Obama’s recent designation of Chimney Rock as a National Monument. Located in southwest Colorado, Chimney Rock national monument contains 47,000 acres of dramatic rock formations and the remains of an ancient settlement. The designation will permanently protect Chimney Rock while bringing attention to the area, boosting tourism and helping the local economy.

Obama’s executive action comes as a bill to give the area monument status stalled in the Democrat-controlled Senate after a bill sponsored by U.S. Rep. Scott Tipton, R-Colo., passed the Republican-controlled House. We should also applaud U.S. Sen. Michael Bennet, D-Colo., who introduced the measure in the Senate.

The Antiquities Act of 1906 allows presidents to designate monuments as areas of scientific, archaeological or geological importance. Obama has set aside two areas already under the act. The other national monument was Fort Monroe in Hampton, Va.

Chris Miller, Delta

The writer is executive director of the Western Colorado Interpretive Association.

This letter was published in the Oct. 1 edition.

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Chris Miller appears to have a partisan bias when he notes that the Chimney Rock bill was stalled in the “Democrat-controlled Senate” after it passed in the Republican-controlled House. He also gives first credit to Republican Rep. Scott Tipton and gives Democrat Senator Michael Bennett an “also” credit. Such partisanship is fine for most people, but not for the executive director of the Western Colorado Interpretive Association, which has a non-partisan, public service mission and enjoys a license to sell literature and trinkets in visitors centers on federal lands. His board should caution him about betraying such bias. I for one will remember his comment next time I’m in one of those stores. I can buy the same books from Amazon, at lower cost. But I would prefer to pay more to support an organization dedicated to educating people about public lands and nature.

#2 Comment By Anonymous On October 1, 2012 @ 5:16 pm

Are you saying it wasn’t stalled in a “Democrat-controlled Senate?” Or are you saying he shouldn’t tell people the truth if it makes your guys look bad?